Sermon: “Message to the Seven Churches”
The Message to the Church in Laodicea
"Seventh Church Message"
Pastor Kim Wenzel
The Message to the Church in Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22 NLT
14 “Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message
from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of God’s new creation
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You
say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And
you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind
and naked. 18 So
I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire.
Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not
be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be
able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look!
I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I
will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Footnotes:
e. 3:14
While exiled on the island of Patmos, the apostle John received a
revelation from Jesus Christ that we now call the book of Revelation. In
this vision, Christ gave John seven messages for seven first-century
churches in Asia Minor. Read to discover why Christ wanted to speak
to these seven churches and what the messages mean for us today.
The church in Laodicea was lacking in every way. It was a
compromising, conceited, and Christless church and Christ said that it
made Him sick (Revelation 3:16). Today’s Church should take note; those
words may apply to us as well. We would be well advised to apply this
counsel to our lives and churches today.
The Prescription for Spiritual Poverty
The Laodicean's were rich, but their riches were worldly, not
spiritual. They needed spiritual wealth which can only come through
Christ (Revelation 3:18).
The Prescription for Spiritual Nakedness
Nakedness in Scripture is a metaphor for defeat and humiliation,
therefore Christ counsels them to procure “white garments” from Him that
the shame of their nakedness might be covered (Revelation 3:18).
The Prescription for Spiritual Blindness
The only salve for spiritual blindness is repentance and
submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, asking Him for the fullness and
wisdom of His Spirit to restore our spiritual sight.
The Prescription for Spiritual Compromise
There is only one word of counsel for the spiritually compromised:
“Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). God doesn’t love
us only when we are doing the right things. He loves us all the time and
He wants us to repent when we need to.
The Prescription for Their Christlessness
Christ has this to say for any without Him: “Behold, I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
When Christ is moved to the margins and pushed outside the Church
altogether, He stands knocking and seeking to be invited back in.
Today's Verse
Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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